The new Ferrari Purosangue isn't what you'd expect. It is different from ordinary convertible SUVs, and it is also not typical high-profile SUVs. It's unusual and distinctive, designed to deliver a driving experience that's more Ferrari-like than a traditional SUV.
This Ferrari Purosangue is the first four-door, four-seater model in Ferrari history. While Ferrari has offered other four-seater models, usually in a 2+2 configuration with the back seat only suitable for children, pets or small items, this model's back seat is large enough for adults.
Contrary to the trend of other car manufacturers abandoning V12 engines, this Ferrari is equipped with a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine with 715 horsepower and 528 pound-feet of torque. To make this engine work well in this Ferrari with its different proportions and higher terrain, engineers placed it mid-mounted, linking two-speed and eight-speed dual-clutch transmissions front and rear.
This layout gives the Purosangue all-wheel drive capability, and the distribution of front light and rear weight is rare in traditional SUVs. The engine mapping is inspired by the Ferrari Formula 1 car setup. The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has a short gear ratio and can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds. The eighth gear is specially designed for unlimited speed roads, with a top speed of 310 km/h.
The driving experience of the Purosangue is similar to that of a modern Ferrari GT car, but with a higher seat. During our first winter test drive in the Northern Italian Alps we faced a variety of weather conditions. For the most part, the roads are dry. But it performs admirably when light snowflakes cover the road and make it slick.
The Purosangue copes with road ripples through Ferrari's active suspension technology, which includes active shock absorbers developed by Canadian company Multimatic, a world first. This technology responds more quickly to changes in the road surface, ensuring the tire adheres closely to the road surface for superior cornering performance and control.
Purosangue was designed by a team led by Flavio Manzoni, and their approach is so innovative that it has even been submitted to the International Patent Office. The underbody of this model is completely black, including the front bumper, side skirts, wheel arches and rear spoiler, which is called the "technical base". In contrast, the top has a distinct Purosangue shape, its streamlined design more like a GT than an SUV. When you see Purosangue in person, it seems to be suspended above that layer of black, as if carved from the sandstone.
The controls on the steering wheel are comparable to those on a Ferrari Formula One car, with plenty of buttons, although not all of them are clearly visible. However, the Manettino switch is an exception. It provides five driving modes, from "Ice and Snow" to "Electronic Stability Control Off", which are clearly marked. In addition, this switch has multiple functions, and when you press it, you can adjust the active suspension settings from soft to medium to hard.
Access to the rear seats is provided by a pair of forward-opening hinged rear doors, otherwise known as convertible rear doors, or more coolly, "suicide doors." This is a unique solution that only a high-end manufacturer like Ferrari dares to attempt. The seats themselves are very comfortable, with plenty of rear legroom and adjustable backrests, and they fold flat completely to create a surprising cargo area.
The new Ferrari Purosangue combines a variety of desirable features. Its unique looks, passenger room for four adults, and a better-than-typical driving experience make it an attractive vehicle. Above all, it is a Ferrari, a symbol of ultimate desire.
